Chair’s Report
Mike Forrester: Chair’s Report 2023 presents a challenging start, and the business environment remains a constant battle. While some supply chains are returning to more typical timescales, increased cost and skills shortages remain. The Chamber can signpost Members to a number of support services, so please contact your Account Manager to discuss what might be available for your business. The Chamber are delighted by the news that almost £40 million of funding will be shared between Herefordshire and Worcestershire as part of the government’s £2bn Levelling Up Fund. The Hereford City Transport Package and Malvern Theatres Bid are among 100 projects across the country to receive special funding. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “…we are backing more than 100 projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities across the United Kingdom. By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home.” We look forward to supporting the businesses involved throughout 2023 and beyond - and the outcome of the projects being funded. As we get into 2023, the events programme is back in full swing with numerous events being organised. There is something for everyone and I look forward to catching up with our Members and meeting new businesses at these events. So, please take a look at the events calendar at: www.hwchamber. co.uk/events-and-training-calendar.
The popular Chamber Business Expo returns on 9 March 2023 at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern. This event is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of your brand, generate new sales leads and expand existing business relationships. I personally enjoy this event and would recommend attending along with the 800 guests expected on the day. The BIG event of the year, of course, is the Chamber Business Awards which are back for 2023, sponsored this year by Herefordshire Council. A full list of categories can be seen at: www.hwchamber.co.uk/events/ business-awards. As a past winner, I can confirm the benefits that come alongside entering an Award are invaluable, including a great boost to staff morale, a PR opportunity, a powerful tool to raise your profile and a way to stand out against your competitors. It will be a sell-out event once again with over 700 attendees - which leads to your opportunity to enter for one of the 16 categories. Applications and submissions can be made here: www. hwchamber.awardsplatform.com. If anyone would like to discuss the process, please contact me via the Chamber.
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
Following a recent Business Leaders dinner with Geoff White (author, speaker, investigative journalist, and podcast creator covering cyber and organised crime) everyone attending was probably shocked at the scale of cyber-crime and the ease at which supposedly secure networks can be hacked. I followed this up by attending the Midlands Centre for Cyber Security. Based on Skylon Park, Hereford’s Enterprise Zone, the centre is positioned to become a key player in the Cyber Valley that spans across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire and is home to 15% of the UK’s top 600 cyber companies. Backed by the expert academic team from the University of Wolverhampton’s Cyber Research Institute, the centre supports businesses, develops their skillsets, and leads in cyber security testing, research and development. The centre team offer advice as to how you and your staff can be more aware of hacking risks, ways to reduce the risk and mitigations during and following an attack. With the news that the value of cyber-crime exceeds that of traditional crime, taking steps to protect your business is essential. I wish you all well and hope to see you soon, Mike.
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